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CHANGE OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS FOR BETTER ROAD SAFETY

Written by Uyen Le-Khuc

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is aiming toinstall red-amber-green arrow traffic lights at most intersections by 2023. The changes follow a split-phase traffic timing system, which assigns the right of way sequentially to both vehicles and pedestrians. Given how it would be rather impossible to do so at all 1600 right-turning junctions, it was suggested that the adjustment be implemented only at places with high risk of accidents. Arguably, this not only prioritises 21 accident-prone junctions to be efficiently equipped with new traffic lights first, but also prevents the proposed changes from causing delays and traffic jams in places that are quite safe. The proposal of the changes came after an online petition demanded LTA review its rule, especially in the wake of two fatal accidents last week (one at the junction of Commonwealth Avenue West and Clementi Road, and another at the junction of Jalan Anak Bukit and Jalan Jurong Kechil).